RUNWAY SHOW CELEBRATES ST. LOUIS FASHION LEGACY AND FUTURE
Gent Men’s Fashion Week, an initiative of Saint Louis Fashion Fund, culminated with a runway fashion show at CITYPARK on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 3 p.m., showcasing St. Louis-based and international menswear designers. Hosted in partnership with the St. Louis CITY SC soccer team at its newly opened stadium, CITYPARK, the evening honored fashion and soccer as two vital aspects of St. Louis culture.
Above: Aziel Jackson shows off the new Confluence Kit while sporting clothing by Stuart Trevor at the Gent Men’s Fashion Week event Runway at CITYPARK.
Photo by Sophia Scheller.
From the late 19th century until the end of WWII, St. Louis was second only to New York in garment manufacturing. Dubbed “Shoe Street, USA,” Washington Avenue once claimed more shoe manufacturers than any other street in the world. Saint Louis Fashion Fund was founded in 2014 to support St. Louis’ growing modern impact on the fashion industry through fashion education, outreach, and championing emerging designers. Runway at CITYPARK is one of the 10 for 10 events celebrating the Saint Louis Fashion Fund’s 10th Anniversary in 2024, but even more so, a celebration of St. Louis’ vibrant and growing fashion community. The Fashion Fund’s partnership with the MLS St. Louis CITY SC team reflects the current state of fashion culture–where our nation’s athletes are just as influential as our supermodels–and shines a spotlight on the creative advancements in menswear today.
The evening featured St. Louis CITY SC Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel, Head Coach Bradley Carnell, and CITY SC players: Defender and MLS All-Star Tim Parker, Midfielders Aziel Jackson, and Akil Watts, Forward Sam Adeniran, and Defender Josh Yaro. Players from STL CITY SC’s no-cost soccer program CITY Futures also walked the runway sporting CITY SC’s secondary jersey, the Confluence Kit, released on Friday, February 16.
The show spotlighted collections from special guest London-based designer Stuart Trevor, founder of AllSaints, and the U.S. debut of Bolongaro Trevor. Local menswear designers also featured throughout the show included Paulie Gibson, The Normal Brand, Rocket Supernova, Ying Ying Ying, Lukas Roe, and a unique selection of fashion-forward match-day gear from the newly launched 2024 CITY SC Away Kit.
Over 300 guests representing some of St. Louis’ top arts, culture and fashion institutions were in attendance, including: A cross-section of local and national designers AK Brown, Paulie Gibson, Izzy Polanco and London-based designer Stuart Trevor, St. Louis CITY SC Chief Brand Architect & Co-owner Lee Broughton, Mother Model Management owners Mary and Jeff Clark, Caleres Vice President-Corporate Communications Kelly Malone, Edwards Jones Chief Transformation Officer Kristin Johnson, Dr. Mary Ruppert-Stroescu of the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, and Washington University Professors Tim Solberg and John Ansehl.
“The Spirit of St. Louis,” a term coined in recognition of the city’s enthusiastic support for Charles Lindbergh’s daring flight, reflects the City’s long-time tradition of giving ambitious dreamers and builders a platform for starting up and standing out. St. Louis has been named the top city in America for female-led startups and entrepreneurs of color. Thanks in part to its collaborative business and creative communities, historic civic institutions, and accessible commercial real estate opportunities, startup designers are finding opportunities to launch their brands within St. Louis’ supportive fashion community. The spirit of a new St. Louis was in full display as show-goers of all ages, as well as its new MLS team, came from all corners of the city to gather proudly around the Runway and its homegrown designers.
